Systems and methods for providing a user interface

ABSTRACT

A device may include a touch sensitive display and logic configured to control the touch sensitive display to display information to a user, provide a window of enlarged information via the touch sensitive display based on a determined position of input on the touch sensitive display, and receive a selection from the enlarged information based on a determined position of input within the provided window.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/839,636 filed Aug. 16, 2007, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety, by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Implementations described herein relate generally to input devices, andmore particularly, to input devices that can be used in handhelddevices.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Devices, such as mobile communication devices usually include a displayand keys to enter information into the device. Generally, both thedisplay and keys contained in mobile devices are small. The restrictedsize of the display and keys inhibit the speed at which an operator mayinteract with the mobile device, as entering information via the keysand/or interacting with the display must be done in a very slow andprecise manner.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a mobile communication device is provided. Themobile communication device may comprise a touch sensitive display andlogic configured to control the touch sensitive display to displayinformation to a user; provide a window of enlarged information via thetouch sensitive display based on a determined position of input on thetouch sensitive display; and receive a selection via the window ofenlarged information based on a determined position of input within theprovided window.

Additionally, the displayed information includes an interface screenwith a plurality of selections.

Additionally, the enlarged information includes at least one of theplurality of selections.

Additionally, the determined position of input within the providedwindow is determined by the position of a finger of a user or a styluson the touch sensitive display.

Additionally, the determined position of input within the providedwindow is determined by the position where the user lifts a finger orthe stylus off the touch sensitive display.

According to another aspect, a method may be provided. The method maycomprise displaying a plurality of groups of characters via a touchsensitive display; determining a position of input on the touchsensitive display; displaying an enlarged window of one of the groups ofcharacters based on the determined position of input; and selecting oneof the characters from the group of characters within the enlargedwindow based on at least one of a determined position of input withinthe enlarged window or a determined position of input outside theenlarged window.

Additionally, each of the groups of characters includes a plurality ofletters.

Additionally, the displaying a plurality of groups of characterscomprises displaying a “QWERTY” type of keyboard by displaying theplurality of letters in the groups of characters.

Additionally, the displayed enlarged window of one of the groups ofcharacters includes a central letter surrounded by the other letters inthe selected group.

Additionally, the selecting one of the characters from the group ofcharacters within the enlarged window based on a determined position ofinput is determined by determining a position where a user lilted afinger off the surface of the touch sensitive display.

According to another aspect, a method may be provided. The method maycomprise displaying an interface screen via a touch sensitive display;determining a position of input on the touch sensitive display;displaying a cursor on the interface screen based on the determinedposition of input on the touch sensitive display; and selecting a choicedisplayed on the interface screen based on a position of the cursor.

Additionally, the displayed cursor on the interface screen is displayedon the touch sensitive display at a position at or offset from thedetermined position of input.

Additionally, the determined position of input is determined by asensing a position of a user's finger or a stylus on the touch sensitivedisplay.

Additionally, the selected choice displayed on the interface screenbased on a position of the cursor is selected when a user lifts a fingeroff the surface of the touch sensitive display.

Additionally, the offset position of the displayed cursor may be changedbased on a user defined preference.

According to yet another aspect, a mobile communication device isprovided. The mobile communication device may comprise a plurality ofkeys; a display; and logic configured to: control the display to displaygroups of characters, wherein a position of the displayed groups ofcharacters correspond to physical locations of the plurality of keys;select one of the displayed groups of characters based on a first keyinput; and select one character from the selected displayed group ofcharacters based on a second key input.

Additionally, the logic may be further configured to control the displayto display the selected group of characters in an enlarged manner.

Additionally, a displayed position of enlarged characters within a groupcorrespond to physical locations of the plurality of keys.

Additionally, the displayed groups of characters form a “QWERTY” type ofkeyboard.

Additionally, the at least some of the displayed groups of charactersinclude nine letters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate a number of embodiments and,together with the description, explain the embodiments. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary implementation of a mobile terminal;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary functional diagram of a mobile terminal;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary functional diagram of the user interfacelogic of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process;

FIGS. 5 illustrates an example of the process of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate other examples of the process of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary process;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the process of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary process; and

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate examples of the process of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the invention refers to theaccompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawingsmay identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detaileddescription does not limit the embodiments.

Implementations of the invention can be used to improve a userinterface, such as a display and keypad, on a device (e.g., acommunications device). Implementations described herein may change theappearance and/or configuration of the user interface using logic, suchas machine-readable instructions executed by a processing device. Insome instances, the changing of the appearance and/or configuration ofthe user interface may be application controlled. That is, when aparticular application is launched or being executed or a functionassociated with a particular application is being executed, the userinterface may change based on the particular application.Implementations of the user interface may receive user inputs via touch,e.g., via a user's finger, via input devices, e.g., a stylus, viaspeech, and/or via other techniques and/or devices.

Exemplary implementations will be described in the context of a mobileterminal. It should be understood that a mobile terminal is an exampleof a device that can employ a user interface consistent with theprinciples of the embodiments and should not be construed as limitingthe types or sizes of devices or applications that can employ the userinterface described herein. For example, user interfaces describedherein may be used on desktop communication devices, householdappliances, such as microwave ovens and/or appliance remote controls,automobile radio faceplates, industrial devices, such as testingequipment, etc.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary implementation of a mobile terminalconsistent with the principles of the embodiments. Mobile terminal 100(hereinafter terminal 100) may be a mobile communication device. As usedherein, a “mobile communication device” and/or “mobile terminal” mayinclude a radiotelephone; a personal communications system (PCS)terminal that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with dataprocessing, a facsimile, and data communications capabilities; apersonal digital assistant (PDA) that can include a radiotelephone,pager, Internet/intranet access, web browser, organizer, calendar,and/or global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and a laptop and/orpalmtop receiver or other appliance that includes a radiotelephonetransceiver.

Terminal 100 may include housing 101, keypad 110 containing keys 112A-L,control keys 120, speaker 130, display 140, and microphones 150 and150A. Housing 101 may include a structure configured to hold devices andcomponents used in terminal 100. For example, housing 101 may be formedfrom plastic, metal, or composite and may be configured to supportkeypad 110, control keys 120, speaker 130, display 140 and microphones150 and/or 150A.

Keypad 110 may include a plurality of keys 112A-L (collectively keys112) that may be activated by a user to input information into terminal100. Implementations of keys 112 may have key information associatedtherewith, such as numbers, letters, symbols, etc. A user may interactwith keys 112 to input key information into terminal 100. For example, auser may operate keys 112 to enter digits, commands, and/or text, intoterminal 100.

Control keys 120 may include buttons that permit a user to interact withterminal 100 to cause terminal 100 to perform an action, such as todisplay a text message via display 140, raise or lower a volume settingfor speaker 130, etc.

Speaker 130 may include a device that provides audible information to auser of terminal 100. Speaker 130 may be located in an upper portion ofterminal 100 and may lime on as an ear piece hen a user is engaged in acommunication session using terminal 100. Speaker 130 may also functionas an Output device for music and/or audio information associated withgames and/or video images played on terminal 100.

Display 140 may include a device that provides visual information to auser. For example, display 140 may provide information regardingincoming or outgoing calls, text messages, games, phone books, thecurrent date/time, volume settings, etc., to a user of terminal 100.Implementations of display 140 may be implemented as black and white orcolor displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Display 140 mayalso include devices and/or logic that can be used to display images toa user of terminal 100 and to receive user inputs in association withthe displayed images. For example, display 140 may be configured as atouch sensitive device that may display an image of a keyboard.Implementations of display 140 may be configured to receive a user inputwhen the user interacts with the displayed image. For example, the usermay provide an input to display 140 directly, such as via the user'sfinger, or via other devices, such as a stylus. User inputs received viadisplay 140 may be processed by components or devices operating interminal 100.

Microphones 150 and/or 150A may, each, include a device that convertsspeech or other acoustic signals into electrical signals for use byterminal 100. Microphone 150 may be located proximate to a lower side ofterminal 100 and may be configured to convert spoken words or phrasesinto electrical signals for use by terminal 100. Microphone 150A may belocated proximate to speaker 130 and may be configured to receiveacoustic signals proximate to a user's ear while the user is engaged ina communications session using terminal 100. For example, microphone150A may be configured to receive background noise as an input signalfor performing background noise cancellation using processing logic interminal 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary functional diagram of mobile terminal100 consistent with the principles of the embodiments. As shown in FIG.2, terminal 100 may include processing logic 210, storage 220, userinterface logic 230, communication interface 240, antenna assembly 250,and power supply 260.

Processing logic 210 may include a processor, microprocessor, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gatearray (FPGA), or the like. Processing logic 210 may include datastructures or software programs to control operation of terminal 100 andits components. Implementations of terminal 100 may use an individualprocessing logic component or multiple processing logic components, suchas processing logic components operating in parallel. Storage 220 mayinclude a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), amagnetic or optical disk and its corresponding drive, and/or anothertype of memory to store data and instructions that may be used byprocessing logic 210.

User interface logic 230 may include mechanisms, such as hardware and/orsoftware, for inputting information to terminal 100 and/or foroutputting information from terminal 100. User interface logic 230 mayinclude mechanisms, such as hardware and/or software, used to configurean appearance of display 140 and/or to receive user inputs via display140 and keypad 110. For example, user interface logic 230 may controldisplay 140 to display a keyboard of characters such as a “QWERTY” typeof keyboard, or another type of keyboard. User interface logic 230 mayalso include hardware or software to accept user inputs to makeinformation available to a user of terminal 100. For example, a keyboardmay be displayed via display 140 and a user may use a finger or stylusto exert pressure on the display 140 indicating selection of a displayedkey within the keyboard. Further examples of input and/or outputmechanisms associated with user interface logic 230 may include aspeaker (e.g., speaker 130) to receive electrical signals and outputaudio signals, a microphone (e.g., microphone 150 or 150A) to receiveaudio signals and output electrical signals, buttons (e.g., control keys120) to permit data and control commands to be input into terminal 100,and/or a display (e.g., display 140) to output visual information.

Communication interface 240 may include, for example, a transmitter thatmay convert base band signals from processing logic 210 to radiofrequency (RF) signals and/or a receiver that may convert RF signals tobase band signals. Alternatively, communication interface 240 mayinclude a transceiver to perform functions of both a transmitter and areceiver. Communication interface 240 may connect to antenna assembly250 for transmission and reception of the RF signals. Antenna assembly250 may include one or more antennas to transmit and receive RF signalsover the air. Antenna assembly 250 may receive RF signals fromcommunication interface 240 and transmit them over the air and receiveRF signals over the air and provide them to communication interface 240.

Power supply 260 may include one or more power supplies that providepower to components of terminal 100. For example, power supply 260 mayinclude one or more batteries and/or connections to receive power fromother devices, such as an accessory outlet in an automobile, an externalbattery, or a wall outlet. Power supply 260 may also include me logic toprovide the user and components of terminal 100 with information aboutbattery charge levels, output levels, power faults, etc.

As will be described in detail below, terminal 100, consistent with theprinciples of the embodiments, may perform certain operations relatingto adaptively configuring display 140 in response to user inputs or inresponse to instructions associated with processing logic 210. Terminal100 may perform these operations in response to processing logic 210executing software instructions of a keypad configuration/programmingapplication contained in a computer-readable medium, such as storage220. A computer-readable medium may be defined as a physical or logicalmemory device and/or carrier wave.

The software instructions may be read into storage 220 from anothercomputer-readable medium or from another device via communicationinterface 240. The software instructions contained in storage 220 maycause processing logic 210 to perform processes that will be describedlater. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement processes consistentwith the principles of the embodiments. Thus, implementations describedherein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitryand software.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary functional diagram of the user interfacelogic 230 of FIG. 2. User interface logic 230 may include control logic310, display logic 320, position sensing logic 330 and zoom window logic340.

Control logic 310 may include logic that controls the operation ofdisplay logic 320, logic operating with display logic 320, and/orprocesses involved with display logic 320. Control logic 310 may beimplemented as standalone logic or as part of processing logic 210.Moreover, control logic 310 may be implemented in hardware or software.Control logic 310 may receive inputs via keys 112 and may receivesignals from processing logic 210 to provide images to be displayed viadisplay 140 and/or said signals to display logic 320.

Display logic 320 may include logic to present information to a user ofterminal 100. Display logic 320 may include processing logic tointerpret signals and instructions and a display device (such as display140) having a display area to provide information to a user of terminal100. For example, display logic 320 may receive image signals fromcontrol logic 310, such as a user interface screen displaying aplurality of choices to be displayed. Display logic 320 may also receivesignals from position sensing logic 330 and provide a cursor on display140 based on the received position signals. Display logic 320 may alsodetermine selections of information displayed, by comparing locations ofdisplayed information and input position signals received from positionsensing logic 330 relating to a position on display 140 that may betouched by a user.

Implementations of display logic 320 may also include mediums thatchange properties as light passes through the mediums, or display logic320 may include mediums that reflect light. For example, oneimplementation of display logic 320 may include a liquid crystal display(LCD) technology that includes, for example, biphenyl or another stableliquid crystal material. LCD based implementations of display logic 320may include thin film transistor (TFT) LCDs that may include a liquidcrystal structure placed between two glass plates that can be charged tocause changes in the liquid crystal structure so as to change colorcharacteristics of light passing through the liquid crystal structure.Implementations employing LCD based technologies may use back lightingor front lighting to enhance the appearance of images produced bydisplay logic 320.

Display logic 320 may also include logic to provide illumination to anupper surface of a display device or a lower surface of a displaydevice. For example, display logic 320 may be used to provide frontlighting to an upper surface of a display device (such as display 140)that faces a user. Front lighting may enhance the appearance of adisplay device by making information on the display device more visiblein high ambient lighting environments, such as viewing a display deviceoutdoors. Display logic 320 may also be used to provide backlighting toa lower surface, or rear surface, of a display device, such as a surfaceof a display device that faces away from a user. Backlighting may beused with LCD based implementations of a display device to make imagesbrighter and to enhance the contrast of displayed images.Implementations of display logic 320 may employ light emitting diodes(LEDs) or other types of devices to illuminate portions of a displaydevice.

Position sensing logic 330 may include logic that senses the position ofan object. For example, position sensing logic 330 may be configured todetermine the location on display 140 where a user places his/her fingerregardless of how much pressure the user exerts on display 140. In oneimplementation, position sensing logic 330 may include a transparent orsemi-transparent film that can be placed over display 140. The film maybe adapted to change an output, such as a voltage or current, as afunction of an amount of pressure exerted on the film and/or based on alocation where pressure is exerted on the film. For example, assume thata user presses on the film in an upper left hand corner of the film. Thefilm may produce an output that represents the location at which thepressure was detected. Implementations of position sensing logic 330 mayuse thermal, pressure, vibration, location, etc., sensing techniques toidentify and receive inputs. Position sensing logic 330 may also usecapacitive, resistive, inductive, optic, etc., based sensing devices toidentify the presence of an object and to receive an input via theobject. Position sensing logic 330 may send a signal to display logic320 indicating the determined position of input, for example.

Zoom window logic 340 may include hardware and/or software to provide awindow of enlarged information via display 140. For example, zoom windowlogic 340 may receive a signal from position sensing logic 330 thatidentifies or determines a place on display 140 where an input may bereceived. Zoom window logic 340 may also receive signals from displaylogic 320 related to an image or information currently being displayedvia display 140. Zoom window logic 340 may then use the receivedposition and image signals to provide a window for enlarged images thatmay be located at the position of input on display 140 that may havebeen touched by a user. For example, if a displayed image on display 140is a menu of choices, zoom window logic 340 may provide a zoom windowthat contains an enlarged or magnified view of the choices in the menu.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exemplary processing consistent with theprinciples described herein. Process 400 may begin when information isdisplayed to a user of terminal 100 (block 410). For example, terminal100 may be running an application, such as an email or text messagingapplication, where processing logic 210 and/or user interface logic 230may generate a user interface screen that includes information and/ormenus to be displayed via display 140 in order to allow a user to createand send an email or text message.

While displaying a user interface and/or information, terminal 100 maysense and determine a position of input (block 420). For example, a usermay press down with his/her finger on a specific location on the surfaceof display 140 which may be determined by position sensing logic 330. Asdescribed above, position sensing logic 330 may determine the exactposition on the surface of display 140 that is being contacted. Positionsensing logic 330 may then send a signal to display logic 320 and zoomwindow logic 340 indicating the determined position of input. Based onthe determined input position, zoom window logic 340 may provide awindow of enlarged information based on the determined position (block430). An example of providing a zoom window of enlarged information(block 430) is shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5 for example, a user of terminal 100 may be presentedwith an interface screen via display 140. When a user touches display140, the location or position of input, shown as circle 510, isdetermined by position sensing logic 330. The determined input positionsignal may then be sent to zoom window logic 340 in order to providezoom window 520. For example, the information contained in zoom window520 is enlarged information (e.g., magnified in size by two to three ormore times from the originally displayed interface screen) that is inclose proximity (e.g., at or slightly offset) to the determined inputposition determined by position sensing logic 330. A user preferencesetting may allow zoom window 520 to be displayed to the left of thedetermined input position for right-handed users and to the right of thedetermined input position for left-handed users. Specifically in thisexample, zoom window 520 contains some text from the originallydisplayed interface screen and three icons indicating storage areas,where the position of input, shown as circle 510, is directly above(covering) one of the storage area icons. It should be understood thatcircle 510 is shown for illustrative purposes only and may not be shownon display 140.

Continuing with this example, an input position may continue to bemonitored and determined within the zoom window 520. For example,position sensing logic 330 may continue to monitor and determine the(input) position of a user's finger while it moves across the surface ofdisplay 140. A user may then move their finger within zoom window 520 todirectly cover a desired input selection, such as an icon or choicewithin a displayed menu, for example. Once a user's finger is directlyover the input selection, by lifting his/her finger up off the surfaceof display 140, an input selection may be determined by using themonitored lift off point within the zoom window 520 (block 440).Alternatively, an input selection may be determined when the userpresses more firmly on a particular part of zoom window 520 or taps zoomwindow.

For example, zoom window logic 340 may use input position signalsreceived from position sensing logic 330 to determine what information(desired input selection) was displayed in the zoom window 520 thatdirectly corresponded to the monitored lift. off point within zoomwindow 520. In this example, if the user lifted his/her finger off thesurface of display 140 over the first storage icon (shown as circle 510)this first icon may be received as a desired input selection by terminal100 (block 440). In another example of receiving a desired inputselection, a matching point (selection) on the original screen may becalculated using knowledge of the position and scaling of zoom window520, without referring to information displayed in zoom window 520(block 440). Additionally, after receiving the input selection based onthe determined position of lift off, terminal 100 may remove zoom windowfrom display 140 and simulate the input selection on the originalinterface screen, for example.

In other examples, the input selection may be received (block 440) witha determined input position that is outside the zoom window 520. Forexample, if zoom window 520 displays three icons and a user moveshis/her finger horizontally to the right and beyond zoom window 520,display logic 320 may determine that the rightmost icon is the desiredselection (block 440). In another example, if a user moves his/herfinger outside the zoom window 520, a new zoom window may be createdthat contains information (from the original display screen) based onthe user's new finger position (block 430). In this example, with amoving, or dragged zoom window, an input selection may be received whena user taps a desired input selection within the zoom window (block440). In other examples, a stylus or input pen may also be used (inplace of or in addition to) a user's finger to select inputs fromdisplayed zoom windows. For example, a user's finger may be used inblocks 420-430 and an input selection may be made by tapping a stylus orpen in a provided zoom window (block 440).

In still further examples, additional icons and/or information may beadded to zoom window 520. For example, additional cons may be addedaround the edges of zoom window 520. Some examples of additional iconsmay be a “page-up” and “page-down.” icons. A user may select one ofthese icons in any manner as described above, for example, touching on,pausing on, or lifting off the icon. In other examples a “page-up” iconmay be selected when the position of a user's finger is determined (byposition sensing logic 330) to leave the top of zoom window 520.Similarly, a “page-down” icon may be selected when the position of auser's finger is determined to leave the bottom of zoom window.

Another example of process 400 may be described with reference to FIGS.6A-6B. In this example, terminal 100 includes a display 140 that mayprovide a number of groups of characters 610-01 to 610-11 (collectivelyreferred to as character groups 610). In this example, when displayed inthe manner shown, characters groups 610 form upper case and lower case“QWERTY” type keyboards (block 410). This displayed user interface thatcontains character groups 610 may be presented to a user while terminal100 is running an email or text messaging application, for example. Inorder to select a character, a user may touch a character group 610currently displayed via display 140. When the user's finger contacts thesurface of display 140, the position of input is determined by positionsensing logic 330 (block 420). Position sensing logic 330 may send asignal indicating the input position to zoom window logic 340 and awindow containing enlarged information may be provided (block 430). Asshown in FIG. 6B for example, a user may have touched character group610-09 (as shown in FIG. 6A) and zoom window 620 may be provided by zoomwindow logic 340 based on the signal from position sensing logic 330indicating that the position of input corresponded to character group610-09. In this example, zoom window 620 contains enlarged characters(r, t, y, f, g, h, c, v and b) that are contained in character group610-09.

After zoom window 620 is provided, a user may move his/her finger over adesired selection displayed within the zoom window 620. For example,position sensing logic 330 may continue to monitor and determine the(input) position of a user's finger while it moves across the surface ofdisplay 140. A user may then move his/her finger within zoom window 620to directly cover a desired input selection, such as one of charactersr, t, y, f, g, h, c, v and b, for example. Once a user's finger isdirectly over the desired character, by lifting his/her finger up offthe surface of display 140, an input selection may be determined byusing the monitored lift off point within the zoom window 620 (block440).

For example, zoom window logic 340 may use input position signalsreceived from position sensing logic 330 to determine what character(desired input selection) was displayed in the zoom window 620 thatdirectly corresponded to the monitored lift off point within zoom window620. In this example, if the user lifted his/her finger off the surfaceof display 140 over the “t” character, a “t” may be received as theinput selection by terminal 100 (block 440).

In further embodiments, the selection from the zoom window 620 may bedetermined from a point of lift off which may not be within zoom window620 (block 440). For example, if zoom window 620 is displayed, a ser mayselect the “t” character by moving his/her finger straight up from thecenter of zoom window 620 and lift his/her finger off the surface ofdisplay 140 at some point directly above the “t” character. In a similarmanner, if zoom window 620 is displayed, a user may select the “h”character by moving his/her finger horizontally from the center of zoomwindow 620 and lift his/her finger off the surface of display 140 atsome point to the right of the “h” character. In this manner, zoomwindow 620 may divide display 140 into angular sections, where eachcharacter may be associated with an angular section of display 140. Inanother example, an input selection may be received when a user's fingerleaves the zoom window area. It should be understood that the number ofcharacters or letters shown in character groups 610 is exemplary only.More or less characters may be contained and displayed in a charactergroup. In addition, other shapes such as rectangular or triangularshapes may be used to segment individual characters in character groups610.

In another example, zoom windows may not be displayed and a user mayselect a character within a character group 610 by moving his/her fingerin a manner as described above. For example, with the character groupsdisplayed as shown in FIG. 6A, if a user touches character group 610-04and moves his/her finger horizontally to the left across the surface ofdisplay 140, the “A” character may be selected without enacting block430 (i.e., without providing zoom a window).

In another embodiment, if a user touches a character group on display140 (blocks 410-420), a zoom window of candidate next words may beprovided (block 430). In this example, process 400 may be enacted forword prediction purposes, where the most frequently used words thatstart with characters within the selected group may be displayed asinput selections. In another example, if a user selects character group610-10, and then selects the character “k,” in a manner as describedabove, another zoom window of frequently used words that begin with “k”may be provided as input selections.

In still further embodiments, after determining an input selection inblock 440, process 400 may continue with block 410 if the input selectedin block 440 requires or produces further selections of choices. Forexample, a user may be presented with a number of cascaded interfacescreens in order to perform an operation, where process 400 may performprocessing associated with blocks 410-440 for each of the number ofinterface screens and zoom windows may be provided as appropriate. Itshould be understood that with cascaded interface screens, methods ofinput selection (block 440) may also include pausing on an inputselection and determining an input selection immediately upon detectingthe presence of a user's finger on a selection.

An example of multiple iterations of process 400 may be used forentering Chinese characters. Using a Wubizixing input method for Chinesecharacters, a user may first select from live root character groups,“left-falling,” “right-falling,” “horizontal,” “vertical” and “hook,”where each of these five root character groups may be choices providedon an interface screen (block 410). Once a user touches display 140selecting information or an icon representing one of the five charactergroups, a zoom window may be provided that includes further choices tobe made (blocks 420-430). For example, if a user selects the“horizontal” character group, a zoom window containing fiveclassifications of horizontal root characters may be displayed. One ofthe five classifications of horizontal root characters may include achoice of characters that contain one horizontal stroke, for example. Ifa user selects characters that contain one horizontal stroke (block440), another user interface screen (or zoom window) may be providedwith further information and/or selections to be made, such as aninterface window displaying four brush stroke type groups. Continuingwith this example, another menu containing further (additional) strokesmay be provided based on the previous selections related to the rootcharacter selected and one horizontal stroke. In this manner, additionalchoices (provided via additional interface screens an tor zoom windows)may be provided until a Chinese character may be determined andselected. In this manner, process 400 may be enacted as many times as isnecessary (based on the amount of selections to be made) in order toallow a user to select a desired character (or other information) from auser interface screen. As described above, the input selection (block440) may be received using any of the above examples of selection, forexample, such as touching or pausing on the input selection, in additionin lifting off the selection.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of exemplary processing consistent with theprinciples described herein. Process 700 may begin when information isdisplayed to a user of terminal 100 (block 710). For example, terminal100 may be running an application, such as an email or text messagingapplication, where processing logic 210 and/or user interface logic 230may generate a user interface screen that includes information and/ormenus to be displayed via display 140 in order to allow a user to createand send an email or text message.

While displaying a user interface and/or information, terminal 100 maydisplay and move a cursor using a monitored position of input (block720). For example, a user may press down with his/her finger on aspecific location on the surface of display 140 which may be determinedby position sensing logic 330. As described above, position sensinglogic 330 may determine the exact position on the surface of display 140that is being contacted. Position sensing logic 330 may then send asignal to display logic 320 indicating the determined position of input.Based on the determined input position, display logic 320 may display acursor based on the determined position of input (block 720). An exampleof displaying a cursor is shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8 for example, a user of terminal 100 may be presentedwith an interface screen via display 140. When a user touches display140, the location or position of input, shown as circle 810, isdetermined by position sensing logic 330. The determined input positionsignal may then be sent to display logic 320 in order to provide acursor 820. For example, cursor 820 may be displayed adjacent (offsetfrom) the input position (810) so that the user may clearly see cursor820. In this example, a user may be storing a document using aninterface screen (similar to FIG. 5) that includes three iconsindicating storage areas. It should be understood that circle 810 isshown for illustrative purposes only and may not be shown on display140.

Continuing with this example, an input position (810) may continue to bemonitored and determined. For example, position sensing logic 330 maycontinue to monitor, determine and follow the (input) position of auser's finger while it moves across the surface of display 140. A usermay then move his/her finger such that cursor 820 is directly over adesired input selection, such as an icon or choice within a displayedmenu, for example. Once cursor 820 is directly over a desired inputselection, a user's finger may be lifted off the surface of display 140to indicate an input selection (block 730). In this manner, terminal 100may display a cursor adjacent to a position of input in order to allow auser to select information presented on an interface screen. It shouldbe understood that the offset position of the cursor shown in FIG. 8 isexemplary only and that cursor 820 may be below, left, or right of theposition of input (810). In other examples, additional icons and/orinformation may be provided when a user touches display 140 and theseadditional icons and/or information may also be selected with cursor820.

In further examples, process 400 or 700 may be employed for draggingevents. For example, a user may use a zoom window or cursor and process400 or 700 (as previously described) to select a scroll bar on display140. If a user quickly retouches display 140, this may be received byposition sensing logic 330 and then a signal may be sent to displaylogic 320 to instigate a drag mode. User finger drag events may bereceived by position sensing logic 330 and mapped by display logic 320into signals used to drag the scroll bar so as to follow the finger.When the scroll bar is in the desired position (as determined by theuser), a user may lift their finger off the surface of display 140,where the position of the scroll bar may be received as an input.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of exemplary processing consistent with theprinciples described herein. Process 900 may begin when groups ofcharacters are displayed to correspond to keys on terminal 100 (block910). As shown in FIG. 10A, terminal 100 includes a display 140 that mayprovide a number of groups of characters 1010-01 to 1010-5 (collectivelyreferred to as character groups 1010). In this example, when displayedin the manner shown, characters groups 1010-2 to 1010-5 form a “QWERTY”type keyboard. As described above, this displayed user interface thatcontains character groups 1010 may be presented to a user while terminal100 is running an email or text messaging application, for example.

In this exemplary embodiment, a total of nine character groups 1010 maybe displayed at any one time, where the displayed locations of eachcharacter group 1010 corresponds to physical locations of the keyslabeled “1” to “9” in keys 112. In the example shown in FIG. 10A, thedisplayed location of character group 1010-1 corresponds to the “4” key,the location of character group 1010-2 corresponds to the “6” key, thelocation of character group 1010-3 corresponds to the “7” key, thelocation of character group 1010-4 corresponds to the “8” key and thelocation of character group 1010-5 corresponds to the “9” key. Othernumbers of character groups may be displayed in alternativeimplementations.

In order to select a letter, a user may depress the key associated withthe displayed character group 1010 that contains the desired letter.When the user depresses a key, this input may be received as a selectionof a displayed character group (block 920). For example, if a userdesires to input a “s,” the “7” key may be depressed. In response toterminal 100 receiving this input, the selected character group 1010-3is enlarged (block 930). Continuing with this example, FIG. 10B showsselected character group (1010-3) displayed as enlarged text within zoomwindow 1020. In this example, control logic 310 may send a signalindicating that the “7” key has been depressed to zoom window logic 340and a window containing enlarged letters (associated with the “7” key)may be provided (block 930).

As shown in FIG. 1013 for example, zoom window 1020 contains enlargedcharacters q, w, e, a, s, d, \, z and x that are contained in charactergroup 1010-3. After a zoom window is provided, a user may depress a keyto select a particular letter within zoom window 1020. When a userdepresses a key, this may be received as an input selection of a letterwithin the display character group (block 940). In this example, thedisplayed location of the letters within zoom window 1020 alsocorresponds to the physical locations of keys 112. For example, the “1”key corresponds with “q,” the “2” key corresponds with “w,” the “3” keycorresponds with “e,” the “4” key corresponds with “a,” the “5” keycorresponds with “s,” the “6” key corresponds with “d,” the “7” keycorresponds with “\,” the “8” key corresponds with “z,” and the “9” keycorresponds with “x.”If, for example, a user depresses the “5” key,control logic 310 may determine that the “5” key of keys 112 has beendepressed and control display 140 to display an “s”.

In other examples, process 900 may be enacted without block 930. Forexample, a user may depress a first key to select a character group(block 920) and then may depress a second key to select a letter fromthe selected character group (block 940) without providing a zoom windowof the character group 1010 selected in block 920. In further examples,process 900 may continue with block 920 (after block 940) when cascadedcharacter groups may be required.

It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments and userinterface screen shown and described above are for illustrative purposesand should not be limited to those examples described. Additionally,terminal 100 may control and may automatically re-configure theappearance of display 140 based on an application being launched by theuse of terminal 100, the execution of a function associated with aparticular application/device included in terminal 100 or some otherapplication specific event. For example, if terminal 100 includes amedia player and the user begins using the media player, user interfacelogic 230 may change the appearance of display 140 to provide inputsrelated to the media player. In another instance, terminal 100 mayinclude a camera function. If the user of terminal 100 presses a shutterbutton associated with the camera, terminal 100 may change theappearance of display 140 to tailor the display for the camerafunctionality.

CONCLUSION

Implementations consistent with the principles of the embodiments mayfacilitate providing a number of user interface systems and methods foruser input.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments providesillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings or may beacquired from practice of the embodiments.

While series of acts have been described with regard to FIGS. 4, 7 and9, the order of the acts may be modified in other implementationsconsistent with the principles of the embodiments. Further,non-dependent acts may be performed in parallel.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that aspects ofthe embodiments, as described above, may be implemented in manydifferent forms of software, firmware, and hardware in theimplementations illustrated in the figures. The actual software code orspecialized control hardware used to implement aspects consistent withthe principles of the embodiments is not limiting. Thus, the operationand behavior of the aspects were described without reference to thespecific software code—it being understood that one of ordinary skill inthe art would be able to design software and control hardware toimplement the aspects based on the description herein.

Further, certain portions of the invention may be implemented as “logic”that performs one or more functions. This logic may include hardware,such as hardwired logic, an application specific integrated circuit, afield programmable gate array, a processor or a microprocessor,software, or a combination of hardware and software.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when usedin this specification and/or claims is taken to specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,components or groups thereof.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential to the embodiments unlessexplicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” isintended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended,the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “basedon” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitlystated otherwise.

1. A mobile communication device, comprising: a touch sensitive display;and a processor to: display, in a first window of the touch sensitivedisplay, first information to a user, display, in a second, differentwindow of the touch sensitive display, enlarged information based on adetermined first position of input on the touch sensitive display, thedisplayed enlarged information corresponding to a first portion of thedisplayed first information displayed in the first window, the secondwindow being displayed simultaneously with the first window, and detect,via the second window, selection of second information, from thedisplayed enlarged information, based on a determined second position ofinput within the second window.
 2. The mobile communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the displayed first information includes a plurality ofselectable information.
 3. The mobile communication device of claim 2,wherein the enlarged information includes at least a plurality of wordsbased on the first information.
 4. The mobile communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the determined position of input within the secondwindow is determined based on a position of a finger of a user or astylus on the touch sensitive display.
 5. The mobile communicationdevice of claim 4, wherein the determined second position of inputwithin the second window is determined based on a location at which theuser removes the finger or the stylus from the touch sensitive display.6. A method comprising: displaying a plurality of words via a firstwindow of a touch sensitive display; determining a position of input onthe touch sensitive display; detecting, based on the determined positionof input, selection of at least one of a first plurality of words fromthe displayed plurality of words; displaying, based on the detectedselection of the first plurality of words, a second, different windowthat includes enlarged words, the enlarged words corresponding to wordsincluded in the at least one of the first plurality of words, the secondwindow being displayed concurrently with the first window, and detectingselection of a first enlarged word, within the second window based on atleast one of a determined position of input within the second window ora determined position of input outside the second window.
 7. The methodof claim 6, wherein the plurality of words includes a plurality ofletters, the method further comprising: detecting selection of a firstletter, of the plurality of letters; and displaying, in response todetecting selection of the first letter, a third, different window thatincludes enlarged candidate words, the enlarged candidate wordscorresponding to words beginning with the selected first letter.
 8. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the determined position of input isdetermined by sensing a position of a finger of a user or a stylus. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein the displayed second window covers aportion of the first plurality of words in the first window.
 10. Themethod of claim 6, wherein detecting selection of the first enlargedword includes: determining a first position at which a user removed afinger from the surface of the touch sensitive display; and detectingselection of the first enlarged word based on the determined firstposition.
 11. A device comprising: a touch sensitive screen to displayinformation; a memory to store a plurality of instructions; and aprocessor to execute instructions stored in the memory to: display, viathe touch sensitive screen, a plurality of information; determine aposition of input on the touch sensitive screen; identify a selectionfrom the plurality of information based on the determined position ofinput; and display an enlarged interface screen based on the identifiedselection, wherein the enlarged interface screen is displayedconcurrently with the plurality of information.
 12. The device of claim11, wherein the enlarged interface screen displays a plurality of wordsbased on the identified selection.
 13. The device of claim 11, whereinthe determined position of input is determined by sensing a position ofa finger of a user or a stylus.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein theidentified selection is based on a position that is identified when auser removes a finger from the surface of the touch sensitive display.15. A non-transitory computer readable medium, having stored sequencesof instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, causethe at least one processor to: display a plurality of information on adisplay; determine a position of input on the display; detect based onthe determined position of input, selection of first informationdisplayed on the screen; display, on the display, an enlarged windowthat includes at least some of the first information; and select aparticular information from the first information, based on a secondinput detected within the enlarged window.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the displayed firstinformation includes a plurality of selectable information.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein theenlarged window displays at least a plurality of words based on thefirst information.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 15, wherein the stored sequences of instructions further cause theat least one processor to: determine the second input based on aposition of a position of a finger of a user or a within the enlargedwindow.
 19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18,wherein the determined second input is based on a position of liftoff.20. A non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein theenlarged window covers a portion of the first information.